Jobs Or Lives? That Is The Casino Smoking Debate In Connecticut

A study commissioned by a casino on the effects of a smoking ban is like asking the cigarette companies to release the report. The Mohegan Sun went searching for one outcome when they asked the Connecticut Resources Center Inc. to conduct a study showing how business would be affected by a smoking ban.

As expected, the study results were released by Mohegan Sun and shockingly, it said that the casino would lose ten to twenty percent revenue if a smoking ban was enforced. Mohegan Sun then pleaded with lawmakers to save their revenue.

"I urge you to review the report and consider the impact of the Bill on the economy of the state, on the lives of people we employ and do business with, and the state programs that rely on our annual contribution," wrote Mohegan Sun CEO Mitchell Etess.

In essence, the CEO was asking the state to save the pockets of the tribe. On the other side of the argument for lawmakers, are health officials and non-smoking proponents who believe that secondhand smoke is killing employees at these casinos.

"I understand that the tribe (Mohegan) has to make sure all of their CEO's drive around in fancy cars, and to do that they need the revenue generated by smokers," said observer Lonnie Grenks, "But at some point the state has to put the health of the employees over the income of the employees."

A House Bill has been proposed that would ban smoking on all casino floors in Connecticut by the year 2011. That Bill went to the Legislature's Finance Committee on Tuesday, and, if approved there, the battle would then begin for lawmakers as to whether or not the smoking ban should be adopted into law.

May 6, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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